May 18, 2018
Musica
Next: Music by YoungArts Winner Isabel Vera

Above: 2018 YoungArts Winner in Voice Isabel Vera performing at Miami Theater Center. Photo by Jason Koerner.     “The National YoungArts Foundation (YoungArts) was established by Lin and Ted Arison to identify and nurture the most accomplished young artists in the visual, literary, design and performing arts, and to assist them at a critical juncture in their educational and professional development.” “YoungArts has several award programs for artists ages 15-18 or in grads 10-12 from across the US.

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March 27, 2017
Musica
Day Two of Jazz in the Gardens concludes with Esperanza Spalding, Andra Day, Hip Hop Giants The Roots, Common and LL Cool J

Above: Jill Scott at Jazz in the Gardens. Photo by MediaPunch/Rex/Shutterstock So coming from Saturday’s line-up, the 12th Annual Jazz in the Gardens did not disappoint with Sunday’s acts which included Gospel artist Smokie Norful, Grammy Award-winning jazz bassist and singer-songwriter Esperanza Spalding, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon House Band and Philly’s own The Roots, R&B songstress Andra Day, Oscar award-winning and FAMU alum Common and closing with Hip Hop Royalty LL Cool J.

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March 24, 2017
Musica
Hail to “The Chief”: Jidenna’s Nigerian-Tinged Hip Hop Reigns Supreme

To be honest, I have always been a cautious consumer of hip hop over the years. For the last few decades, the spectrum of hip hop music has fluctuated between “Stay Woke” cultural reflection of Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five’s “The Message” and Public Enemy’s “Fight the Power,” house party bangers of Salt-N-Pepa’s “Push it” and Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock’s “It Takes Two,” machismo anthems of Dr.

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